Amidst grief over dad’s death, SLU graduate tops March 2023 LET

Instead of being disheartened by grief and trials in life, a 23-year-old graduate of Saint Louis University utilized these challenges as her leverage into acing and topping the March 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers – Elementary.

Sofia Kristianne De Jesus Surat who finished her education degree as Magna Cum Laude at SLU in January this year emerged as Top 10 in the board exams for teachers with 90.40% rating.

Sofia told GURU Press Cordillera she never expected to top the exam, she only prayed to pass.

“After I saw the list of top notchers, I just yelled, "Iba ka talaga, Lord!". All I ever asked was to pass the board exam, but He gave me more than that. He gave me one of the biggest blessings of my life,” she recounted.

Before the boards

Unlike her schoolmates who had been gearing up for the boards since 2022, Sofia had only more than a month to review. The time frame, however, wasn’t the only factor that made her preparation more challenging.

Her father died on January 3, 2023.

Back then she was already getting ready to enroll in a review center, but she put her review behind to put her family first as her mother was also undergoing chemotherapy at the time.

With these trials and the limited time to prepare for the LET, Sofia opted to take the September 2023 exam. Her loved ones, however, pushed her to file for the March exam, and with the outpouring of support given to her, she finished the test.

“Isinantabi ko na lang muna ung grief and used that as a motivation,” she said.

Having passed and even topped the exam, Sofia conveyed she dedicates this success to her family, especially to her father.

“Everything I've done will always be dedicated to my family and, most of all, to my father,” she expressed.

To the next LET takers

To the September 2023 LET examinees, Sofia stressed the importance of the willingness to learn more and to learn new things. She likewise asserted it is okay to rest for a moment.

“Be open. Before reviewing, sabihin mo sa sarili mo na hindi mo alam lahat at handa ka pang matuto ng mas maraming kaalaman. Also, huwag masyadong seryosohin at pagurin ang sarili. Kung sa tingin mo sobra na, huminga ka. Take a day off. Treat yourself. Lastly, pray,” she said.

Now that she’s a Licensed Professional Teacher, Sofia disclosed her next plan now is to look for a job as she’s the breadwinner of their family.

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